Coach Jim
Christian’s first year at TCU did not go all that well. The team ended up with a
losing record and only won five conference games, but there were some impressive
wins over teams like Texas Tech and UNLV. Coach Christian wants to take the next
step this year and he should be able to do that thanks to a large and talented
recruiting class.

Key Losses: G Jason Ebie, F
Kevin Langford

Key Newcomers:

Six new players will be suiting up for the Horned Frogs this season and three of
them have the experience to step in right away and make large contributions. The
biggest help, and perhaps the place where TCU needs the most help, is coming on
the wings. Greg Hill is a tremendous shooter and the junior college transfer
will add an immediate shooter to the team. Cheick Kone, a 6-10 sophomore, may
need some more time to develop, but he could end up blocking some shots and
making some noise on the defensive end of the floor. The incoming freshmen are
not bad either and Garlon Green will certainly be in the mix for playing time on
the wing. Nikola Cerina and Xavier Robinson round out the group of newcomers.

Backcourt:

Ronnie Moss had a
superb freshman campaign, tallying 10.2 points per game, yet it is Keion Mitchem
who may end up playing a more important role on the team this year. While both
can replace Jason Ebie at the point guard spot, Mitchem is a senior leader who
is less prone to commit turnovers. That would also allow Moss to once again play
off the ball and be more effective getting to the basket. Those two pretty much
split starts last year, but both will likely at least begin the season in the
starting lineup. However, especially if Moss proves he can run the show, the
newcomers will drastically cut into Mitchem’s minutes and he would essentially
turn into an experienced backup point guard.

Frontcourt:

Last year most of
the scoring came from the frontcourt and that should be the case again this time
around even without forward Kevin Langford and his 13.9 points per game. Unless
Kone or one of the freshmen is ready to contribute a lot, Edvinas Ruzgas might
have to take over the power forward position. In reality he is a 6-6 wing, but
he does have some toughness to him. Last year he was the team’s most prolific
outside shooter, connecting on nearly two per game. If he can manage to defend
the opposing power forward, he could really stretch out the defense with his
outside shooting ability. Eiland would be the other option to see some minutes
at the four spot, but one of the wings will almost certainly have to play out of
position at least part of the time.

Who to Watch:

Yet, since TCU has
a center like Zvonko Buljan they can afford to play a little small. The 6-9
senior earned the Mountain West Newcomer of the Year honors last year and ended
the campaign averaging an impressive 12.3 points and 7.8 rebounds. Buljan can
dominate the paint, but he can also step out and hit the three-point shot and
that makes the Horned Frogs a very difficult team to defend.

Final Projection:

Yet, it was the team’s inconsistent three-point shooting that led to many
defeats. The addition of Hill and Eiland should put an end to those shooting
concerns. But at this point there is more hope than anything else. Those two
junior college transfers will have to play major minutes, whether it is in a
starting role or providing a spark off the bench. And if they can consistently
hit the long ball, TCU will be playing in the postseason.

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About Joel Welser

ColumnistCollege Preview Editor

Contactjwelser@collegehoops.net

Background

"Joel Welser does a tremendous job covering college basketball. He gives his readers knowledgeable and insightful information on college hoops." -Ernie Zeigler, Head Basketball Coach, Central Michigan University "Joel Welser writes clean, knowledgeable copy that always hits deadline." -Greg Eno, former editor-in-chief, Motor City Sports Magazine Growing up in Michigan, Joel Welser inherited a love for Big Ten sports. After defying all family traditions and not going to Michigan State, Joel headed out west to earn his bachelor degree from California State University, Northridge in Cinema Television Arts, specializing in screenwriting. For reasons still unknown, after his stint in Hollywood, Joel headed back to Michigan where he remains to this day complaining about the cold. Joel has found a successful formula with the popular top 144 series at collegehoops.net and has also written college football and college basketball previews and articles for various websites and magazines.